Intravenous levetiracetam for epileptic seizure emergencies in older people.
OBJECTIVE
Clinical experience with intravenous levetiracetam (LEV IV) is still very limited, especially in elderly subjects. The primary objective of this retrospective observational study was to describe the efficacy and tolerability of LEV IV in older patients presenting with epileptic seizure emergencies.


METHODS
Medical records of 14 older people treated with LEV IV were analysed retrospectively. All patients suffered from series of complex partial seizures or convulsive or non-convulsive status epilepticus needing emergent intravenous (IV) antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment. Nine patients were taking AED therapy when LEV IV was administered.


RESULTS
Mean age was 73.9 years (range 61-97). Mean dosage was 1,643 mg/day (range 500-4,000). Seizure control could be achieved in 11/14 patients (78.6%). No significant adverse events were noted besides sedation.


CONCLUSIONS
LEV IV was effective and well tolerated in these critically ill older patients. LEV IV seems to be a reasonable practical alternative in multimorbid older patients who need IV treatment with an AED.
Beyenburg
Stefan
S
Département des Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg. beyenburg.stefan@chl.lu
Reuber
Markus
M
Maraite
Nadja
N
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D004630:Emergencies; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017029:Epilepsy, Complex Partial / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010889:Piracetam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam